Cat Burrito

Absolutely each to their own, yes. Just to be clear though I was not setting any conditions on bass ownership. If someone has an expensive / rare / irreplaceable bass that they don't want to take out, it is a decision entirely for them. I'm just thinking if I don't play something (home or live), I personally can't justify keeping it - I don't have the spare cash. And sadly, my holidays aren't even fancy! 😸

I tend to rotate my basses so whether playing at home, recording or gigging, each one gets treated the same. I can't justify having nice kit if it isn't getting used. An unused bass is a holiday that I can't go on because the money is tied up in an unused instrument.

I was at Forever Now yesterday in Milton Keynes and can't have been the only Basschat member? I saw Kraftwerk, Death Cult, Billy Idol, Jesus and Mary Chain, the Damned, PIL, Johnny Marr, Psychedelic Furs, Chameleons, She Wants Revenge and Berlin. A promising rebrand of the US Cruel World festival that had a few teething problems but on balance, showed promise.

I fly back from Spain the day before so back with a bang!

When I was young, you had your band and that was it. Getting into my 30s, I realised a lot of people had a few different projects on the go. I wound up doing the same and would regularly be in 3 bands at once. It peaked around 2019 where I was in six bands. However, being in a band means you put the work in. You show up on time, learn your parts and commit. I operated first come first served with bookings and actually having clashes was rarely an issue. Equally, you have to be gracious about people depping for you, if you are playing in a few groups. I've just gone the other way and currently have my duo that is pretty regular and just one band that is more of a recording project that do a few gigs a year at most. I was definitely becoming guilty of not saying no to things but I actually think if you aren't learning the songs, it's quite rude. Rehearsal is to learn to play as a band, not for the ones who are thinly stretched to be taught the songs, especially if they then forget them for next time. People have different levels of enthusiasm and offer different levels of commitment. However, there has to be a common minimum standard and if players are not meeting this, something needs to give.

I was 5 stone overweight in 2009 and amongst other things, getting cancer was my wakeup call. I was mid 30s and just not looking after myself. I lost the 5 stone through getting active and watching what I eat and bar an occasional fluctuation of less than a stone, have kept it off for over 15yrs now. Being a live performer is a huge motivation for that. Don't be in competition with anyone other than versions of yourself - goals should be realistic and there is always someone fitter / stronger. My shoulder is knackered, my feet play me up and I am clearly feeling my age some days but watching what I eat and staying active help. I recommend some sort of weight resistance for anyone getting older. Pre-Covid, I was mid-late 40s and doing big tours around Europe, keeping up. Don't be a hero, go for lighter basses and lighter amps - it's a lot easier now than when I started playing and amps weighed about the same as a small car. Also, in a band setting, if you can't carry the kit, make sure you step up in other ways (like driving) so people can see you are doing your bit. Older band mates usually don't mind stepping up to cover the areas others struggle with. It's give and take when you work with decent people.

Thank you for taking the time - pleased it paid off 🙏

Yeah, backing tracks of us are on an iPad for electric shows. The dual mandocello is lovely and it works well with mandolin too. And bass. We added the guitar to mix it up further, which is funny as it is usually that in reverse. Looking forward to August as we are playing acoustic shows with our original drummer from 35yrs ago.

I / we tend to agree. We put this version together pretty quickly as a way to sneak our own stuff in that format but I'm sure it will evolve. Most of the pubs around here tend to prefer acoustic acts, hence us developing that side of things. We usually have more mandocello / mandolin instrumentation but have added guitar to a couple recently. I'm pleased to say a fair few of the shows coming up are electric so it'll be fun to play electric live shows. I think we have 5 electric shows for 2025 coming up and 8 acoustic shows. so far.

This is from last Sunday's show. I hesitated setting this iPhone recording to live online but for a phone recording, it's reasonable and I am guilty of overthinking sometimes! It's one of the three songs in our set that I play guitar on. Nick is on the Mandocello and I think his vocal is great. If anyone is really keen, you can compare it to our electric original version. We love playing electric but a lot of local bookings tend to be acoustic.

Last night saw my duo return to The Blue Boar in Aldbourne. What's been a good regular venue will sadly be ending soon. The current landlady / landlord are retiring and the local gossip is that they are trying to get out the contract early. Our show was moved back a week due to other music activity in the village and I think that hurt our audience as I had a lot of people who were coming who suddenly weren't. This was my local until we moved and I have been out of the loop. When we arrived the clientele seemed much younger than normal. The barman said afterwards that he thought being goth would mean we were very metal which to me summed up what an awkward fit we've always been on the local music scene. We set up and the younger crowd gradually left. Prior to going on, we had an audience of my wife, my stepson and a guy who'd added me on social media a while ago and I didn't know him! However, we were getting paid and I learned that the pub is open so sporadically at the moment that recent shows haven't been well attended across all acts. A genuine shame. The twist was that we played really well. I was on mandocello for most of the first set, finishing on the bass (my trusty long scale Hofner Verythin). The second set was three on guitar for me and the remainder all on the mandolin. My step son has Down Syndrome and stole the show by shouting "yes!" when I announced that we'd be taking a break in a moment. It was funny! He's a big supporter of the band as amongst other things, he really likes Nick (my musical other half). Thankfully it started to fill up a fair bit during the second set and a good night was had by all. Honourable mention must go to Nick's 87yr old mum, who apparently ironed our backdrop for us! I'd have done it myself, had I known it was bothering her!

And now the strings have appeared which I have approved but they literally just showed up. Not sure why there was a delay.

None were showing when I posted, as I checked the queue. A short strap was showing awaiting approval just now, which I have approved, but there are no others.

Personally I check the approval queue every time I visit Basschat. Occasionally life gets in the way and I am not here every day (particularly weekends). I did approve one the other day that was, ahem, a bit vintage but usually we’re pretty quick.

You have a good memory Lozz. I did, an old 70s thing. Great bass. The previous owner swapped the necks over and I wanted the jazz sound but didn't get on with narrow necks back then.

I quit music in 2001, as at 28yrs old I felt I was getting old. I was a bit embarrassed about it for years but I think it’s probably more common than I realised at the time. I’d always been the main driver of my bands and it meant I was behind everyone else on establishing any sort of career, whilst others had all progressed with their lives. It lasted less than 4yrs and by 2004, I was firmly back in the game. I have played solidly since and definitely enjoyed it more, ironically having greater successes with less pressure. I’m certainly a better player now. Most of my old band mates are long out the game, with maybe only two others from my first four bands (1988 – 2001) still playing. Of the two playing still, one is actually playing music with me again. I think I’ve changed recently in that desire for international tours and all the stuff I used to do has waned a little since I got into my 50s but I still like regularly playing live, writing and recording music. I think the headline from me is that it still feels like it is in my DNA. I’m definitely more picky about what I say yes to now but I don’t have any plans to stop any time soon.

Good to hear. It is a nice little amp 😎

We don't stand on formalities here. Cat is fine AKA Tim 😸

As you are a supporting member, there shouldn't be. We have different rules for trade dealers but for a house clearance, you should be fine. Any issues, report it to the Moderation team and we'll pick it up. The two links here, might be of use - Advice for buyers and sellers Terms and Conditions

Our next show has just been pushed back a week but thankfully I hadn't plugged it with the wrong date on here. The amended poster is here.

Just prior to going on, a man on a mobility scooter stopped to sing “Sharp Dressed Man” to me. It set me up for the gig!

Today we kicked off the UK proceedings for World Goth Day (technically this Thursday but I managed to get our event listed) with a cheeky little in store record shop gig. I played mainly mandolin with some mandocello and a bit of a guitar (not bad for an old bassist). We had a pretty respectable crowd and I enjoyed the set. We even had a brief write up locally Deadlight Dance Devizine